What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
HumectantC13-14 Isoparaffin
EmollientCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77492
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantTriethanolamine
BufferingTriethyl Citrate
MaskingSilica
AbrasiveSodium Dextran Sulfate
Gel FormingEscin
TonicPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMagnesium Sulfate
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantBoron Nitride
AbsorbentAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientLaureth-7
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyacrylamide
Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer
Parfum
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Propylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, CI 15985, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Triethanolamine, Triethyl Citrate, Silica, Sodium Dextran Sulfate, Escin, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Boron Nitride, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-7, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
HumectantPolypropylene
Dimethicone
EmollientBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
AbrasiveCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantOleth-10
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Tocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantPropylene Glycol Dicaprate
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingLaureth-23
CleansingTromethamine
BufferingLaureth-4
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSilica
AbrasiveDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
PreservativeCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Polypropylene, Dimethicone, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trehalose, Oleth-10, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Hexylene Glycol, Laureth-23, Tromethamine, Laureth-4, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 15985, CI 14700, CI 19140
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken, emulsify, and improve the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, it helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions to give products an elegant feel when applied.
It can also form a thin protective film on skin. One study found that a formula using this polymer helped slow down how quickly other ingredients (like DEET) were absorbed through skin.
A 2024 study of over 1,300 patients confirmed that sensitization to this ingredient is rare. It is also non-mutagenic and has a clean track record.
Learn more about Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid or alcohol, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCi 15985 is a dye made from petroleum. It is synthetically created and approved by the FDA for use in foods and cosmetics.
The color of this dye is orange/yellow.
This ingredient can be found in makeup, sun care, and skincare.
Learn more about CI 15985Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Silica, also known as silicon dioxide, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is used as a fine, spherical, and porous powder in cosmetics.
Though it has exfoliant properties, the function of silica varies depending on the product.
The unique structure of silica enhances the spreadability and adds smoothness, making it a great texture enhancer.
It is also used as an active carrier, emulsifier, and mattifier due to its ability to absorb excess oil.
In some products, tiny microneedles called spicules are made from silica or hydrolyzed sponge. When you rub them in, they lightly polish away dead skin layers and enhance the penetration of active ingredients.
Learn more about SilicaWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water